Unsigned acts prepare to play for thousands at festival

An unsigned artist has said that being given the opportunity to perform before a headline act at a popular festival is "surreal".

Solo Jane is one of four artists who will warm up the crowd for headliners such as Ms Dynamite and Giggs at Love Saves The Day Festival in Bristol on 24 and 25 May.

"When I got the call I couldn't believe it. It felt surreal," said Sophie Cook, 29, who goes by the name Solo Jane.

Along with Ssadcharlie, Sambee and Nat Oaks, the singer secured the opportunity through artist development programme Next Level by BigTeam CIC.

Big Team CIC provides opportunities for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and global majority groups to work in the festival industry.

The programme also gives upcoming artists living in Bristol the chance to be mentored by renowned musicians and secure performance opportunities across the UK.

The four artists performing at this year's Love Saves The Day festival have already played the festival before and been invited back in a better slot.

Solo Jane, who works as a vocal coach, will warm up for leading drum and bass artist A Little Sound.

"I've been manifesting exactly how the performance is going to go," she said, describing it as a "full circle moment".

Solo Jane is mentored by Bristol vocalist Eva Lazarus and said it is "really self-gratifying to know that people believe in you".

Bristolian rapper Charlie Cop - known as Ssadcharlie - is studying music in London and said they are "over the moon" to have a 15 minute slot before UK rapper Giggs.

"I spent so much time listening to Giggs when I was younger and I still do now," the 19-year-old said.

"I've done a lot of rehearsing, but I'm also making sure I take time out to be with my friends."

Ssadcharlie said they have been given a platform and believe it is important to fully express who they are on stage.

"The most difficult part of my career was learning how navigate as an artist who is from the LGBTQ+ community," they added.

Big Team CIC's progression lead Javeon McCarthy said: "We realise that people are at their best when they are themselves."

Samuel Ikpe is an afro alternative musician from Nigeria better known as Sambee and will be performing before two time BRIT Award winner Ms Dynamite on Saturday.

The 28-year-old, who lives in Bristol, said: "I think I will be one of the only artists playing afro beats, this helps push the culture to the festival."

Sambee said he is excited to play his most popular song LINA, which explores the challenges a person can experience with immigration.

Sambee's best friend and DJ for the performance, Jabani, said: "Being an immigrant in the UK feels like you can lose a sense of your identity.

"To express yourself properly you have to look back home to see where you come from and channel that through."

UK hip hop artist Nat Oaks, 23, recently came second in the Glastonbury Festival emerging artist competition and has also been booked to perform before Little Simz' Meltdown Festival in London.

Nat is now set to perform before a back-to-back DJ set alongside Groove Armada and Eats Everything at Love Saves The Day.

"I got the call while I was at work and I had to take a moment to process what was happening," she said.

"I was so stoked to know I will be performing."

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